Meurig,
as for doing a degree, I would be reluctant to advise you on what to study. Bear in mind, that if the flying doesn't work out, then aerospace engineerig would be your career. If you like it, that's fine but to get through it and especially be good at it, you will have to like it.
If you are determined to be a pilot then obviously an aerospace background is going to be alot more useful than say an accounting degree. I have a mechanical engineering background and I find that it makes all those complex aerodynamics and numbers much easier for me. That said, there are plenty of guys out there who might struggle with the numbers, but who nevertheless make good instinctive pilots, whereas I'd be too busy with my sliderule to notice big, bad mountain coming up.
As for Bristow, I talked to them about six months ago before I started training. I believe they have a scholarship scheme. You need a PPL (H) and a class 1 medical to be eligible but I also believe they have hundreds of applications for very few places. If you're already qualified I think they ask for a CPL (H) and an IFR rating (not cheap!). Go to their website (
www.bristowtraining.com) and send them an email. They told me to basically go away and try the self-improvement route.
Hope that helps,
Irlandés