I think Beags has hit the nail on the head, as usual. The biggest problem today though is the time it takes students to complete their degree and get on with training. 25 years ago it was out of school at 18, 3 years at Uni (as a fully paid up APO cadetship!) and into IOT age 21! This week I have interviewed candidates who fluffed their A levels (18) and retook after another year (19), did a Gap year (20), a foundation course (21) and are starting the average 4 year with sandwich degree (25 on grad!!!). Sorry mate...too old for training. Even with good Alevels many do a gap year and a 4 year course leaving them 22 plus into IOT. They will be lucky to be in their twenties on their 2nd tour.
How about this. Get the kids to join direct from School. No need for gap year with lots of Adventure training on IOT/EFT. Get the "admin trianers" to properly structure time in training for a OU degree, which will be a bit easier with credits from IOT/EFT/AFT/OCC/ISS and bingo! You are 22 on a fast jet squadron with a degree that didn't bankrupt you or your parents and require you to live in squallor for 4 years. Mums and Dads will be queueing up to throw their offspring at the RAF!!!!!