My advice is go to Uni and make sure they have a RAF University Air Squadron (UAS) associated with it. Check the RAF website for details. Get an education and attend the UAS at weekends, you will get free flying experience along the way and you could even apply for a RAF flying scholarship (yet more free flying). There is no commitment to join the RAF after your uni course, even though the idea of a UAS is to 'groom' potential RAF personnel.
This way you get an education to fall back on plus a good chunk of free flying (which all counts, check LASORS) towards your 150/200 hour minimum for CPL which will save you a pretty penny or two!