Ell - the UK is somewhat unique in that while in most other countries of the world there is almost the impression that you don't deserve to fly an airliner until you've done 8 or 10 years hard labour flying single engines or light twins in the remote back of beyond for 12 grand a year, we are fortunate enough that many airlines here, particularly when the industry is healthy (unlike at the moment...but watch this space) are willing to take people straight out of their flying school and put them into the right hand seat.
I went to the US for my training and while I was there flew a Southwest flight and they were amazed that we had the chance to go straight onto an airliners, without the mandatory backwater work first - not that there is anything wrong with it (gives you a hell of a lot of stories), but it is very nice to know that there is always the chance of going straight onto the line!