You might of learnt the most from your a-levels but what job outside of stacking shelves at tesco's are you supposed to get without a degree these days!!!!
That's partly the point about the foot in the door mechanism. But i don't think a degree is necessary for a high earning job. 4 friends i know who are aged about 23 are earning 30k and another is a plumber is on 40k. Of all the friend i know who went to uni, i don't think anyone is above 25k right now. And then you have to factor in the student loan.
Not that i'm a particularly care about money beyond spunking it all on flying.