Thanks for your reply foghorn.
Yes i agree with you, everyone has to do the same exams and pass the same courses. Although I've heard of many guys aged 17 who get their PPL and then within a space of a few years are in a RH seat in a wide-body jet- I would therefore imagine it would make sense for them to go the modular route too!
I didn't know that on your ATPL it is stamped with how many attempts you made at passing the exams?!