My take -
(a) had a BE(Aero) with useful experience as an engineer. Degree was traded against experience. On my intake, I was the second oldest, as I recall, and the least experienced (flying hours) by far.
(b) a degree is of little direct use to an airline other than for the inference that it suggests the holder can study and pass exams. Depending on the ticket, they may tuck your name away for potential management jobs further down the career track.
(c) ideal way to do things, I suggest, is to get the matriculation, get the flying training, get into the flying job of choice as young as is feasible. THEN, look at doing some other qualification which you find interesting. Either it will give you some sideline work or it may provide some degree of job opportunity if you lose your job on a medical or a 1989 type of event.
I don't think it matters whether you do a trade or degree or whatever .. just keep in mind the fact that flying is a very specialist trade and, if you are out on a medical, in general, there is precious little the average pilot has to offer to employers on the basis of previous flying.