ah. i think i see where your coming from. if you want to be a prob pilot you will have to get a ppl then go on for the ATPL training. i think you have talked about the training as a whole where as i read your post as fATPLs in terms of doing the exams.
inorder to start your ATPLs you have to have your ppl already as its a requirement. i went to london met and did my ATPLs there and on the first day they wanted a copy of my licence. however ive done it the modular route and presume intergrated is different.
therefore inorder to start your ATPLs you would have flown a minimum of 47 hours (45 hours training and about 2 hours flight exam). ofcourse if more lessones were needed to get you to test standard, you will have more time in your logbook. in order to start your CPL you need to have passed all the ATPL exams.
you could however buy the books for the ATPLs from anywhere and start reading them but you will not have enroled onto a course therefore cant do the minimum class room time inorder to sit the exams.
in the school im finishing my training in there are loads and loads of students on the ppl so looks like your going to have quite a bit of data. all of them will be the modular route.