Mark my words now. Even when the financial crisis is over you won't be able to get a Jet or Turboprop job without paying for a type rating (plus maybe some line training). This is already a reality in most cases but it will be 'the way' when the job market opens again. There has already been an explosion in the number of firms offering TRs and these firms are often partnered with the airlines or run by friends of people in high places (flight crew recruitment). In some ways there are advantages for airlines to use such companies.
For some years now many other industries have been using agencies to help recruit graduates for new positions. Direct hire for IT related jobs is almost unheard of. We are going to see this ever increasing trend within the airline wannabe world too and it'll be a success because the airlines will want to totally outsource all their training needs (saving cost and reducing burden upon themselves).
Might as well ditch any plan you might have of doing an integrated course now. Instead, look to do an intensive modular course (starting in about a year) at half the price and then leave yourself £20-30k for a TR. Or be a complete fool and deliberately spend £60-80k (depending on interest) on an integrated knowing that you'll need to spend £20-30k on a TR. Yes, there are people who go into this expecting to do just that!
Yes it's a sad and expensive reality but it's due to our capitalist nature which without we wouldn't have these job opportunities anyway! I've been converted for sure. Expecting to pay for a TR within the next 12 months.
