Whilst I know that a degree is by no means a requirement for NATS - nor should it be - personally I doubt I would have passed the selection process without it, simply because of how much I changed during my time at uni..
So I don't think it's fair to suggest that getting a degree then moving into ATC is a poor career choice which you are doing in your sarcasm zooker..
Apart from anything else, it's a very useful backup.