hammerthrower
a degree is useful provided it is in one of the 'Hard Sciences', i.e not origami or sociology, as the training incurred in such study will help you assimilate the mundane, but necessary, tasks of study of the ANO, Met, Nav, etc.
It will not help when it comes to the practicality of doing ATC which can best be defined as more of an art than a science. Some have it and some don't.
If you're good at video games you are in with a chance.
You can train a monkey to do ATC (believe me, I have) and it will perform well under normal situations but when things go 'tits up' that's when you want someone who can think on the move.
Best of luck.
Cheers
P.S. I note that you are in Scotland where you can enter University at a younger age than in England so why not go for the Uni and apply for NATS at the same time. A Win Win situation.
