Cheers for the heads up re: the threads mate. Although, it was more an overall 'USA style' way of doing things that I was asking about, with that school as an example, than specific school advice.
That said, I'm forming the following kind of plan in my head having done lots of reading here:
1) Finish my final year at uni with the best grade I can(!)
2) Get into a graduate scheme of some kind (yet to solidly decide what I'd like to do) in a non aviation area, and start building a career with which I can pay for my training.
3) As cash permits, take the modular approach and build my way towards a frozen ATPL over the course of a couple of years.
4) I'm now (at least mainly) debt free, and have my fATPL. Go get instructor rating.
5) By this time, I have a few years in chosen alternate career (this is good because it can always be there to fall back on). Go find instructor job, either part or full time.
6) Build hours as instructor. Experience students trying to kill me. Apply to airlines as my CV starts to beef up hours and experience wise.
7) Hopefully, at some point, get offered some kind of airline job, whether its a turboprop or jet offer, take it.
8) If turbo prop, get more hours, beef up CV further, apply for jet jobs. And so on...
All the while, I'll have my BSc Computer Science (Hons) and some kind of career to fall back on and support me through tough times. Hopefully low debt due to modular approach.
Where it gets slightly interesting is, I'd also like to emmigrate to Australia at some point if possible, having spent a couple of years there travelling and working before I went to university. Now, the murky world of conversions aside, I've noticed that Flight Instructors are on the list of jobs that are acceptable to get the appropriate visa for permenant residency (you have to have sponsorship/a job offer though). As stated, flight instruction is quite clearly on my plan of attack. If, for whatever reason, this doesn't work out, then I could (given I don't know what my alternate career will be yet) choose a funding/plan B career that is on the list for skilled workers immigration.
There's lots to consider, and it's not easy, but I like a challenge. Anyway, that's about the size of where I'm at plan wise, having read lots of valuable information here. Would any of the more experienced people wish to comment on this plan of attack I have, point out any holes, and if it's sensible etc? I've just turned 22, so age wise I think things will be ok for me.
Thanks!