Thy don't get a PPL and so there is no need to sit PPL exams. I'm pretty sure this is the only way of being exempt from getting a CPL via a PPL. Again if the student should drop out of his/her integrated course they won't come away with a PPL either.
Good thread, I was thinking the same thing not so long ago. Would I be better of throwing myself into the ATPL GS while the PPL is still fresh in my mind or do I enjoy the flying I can do this year and start the ATPL GS next summer when I have close to 100PIC.
The downfall is when I sit my first exam, I'll have 18 months to get my GS exams done and then a maximum of 36 months to get both the CPL and IR under my belt
... no pressure! Although I am aiming to have my fATPL by 2012/2013 (30/31 years of age) so that makes very little difference to my plans.