Opinion
Hey Darkblue,
I think you will find it depends on the airline whether they look at your ATPL marks or not. When I had an interview for my current job (Regional Airline) ATPL marks did come up, maybe they were using the marks to assess my personality, but not sure. One of my good mates got asked to explain some ATPL theory from the subject he had the worst marks in.
With the degree side of things, don't listen to the crap on here, it is called been short-sighted!! I just got into one of the major airlines and I think my degree helped, not that I had to have it though. I mean that it was part of the package I could offer the company.
Good luck with the ATPL's, just do your best, I think a self study mark would be looked at much better than being taught the answers at some class!!