Indeed, as Genghis points out, workload at university is heavily dependent on subject. Vocational subjects like engineering, science, medicine and law will mean one is virtually living on campus in the latter years of one's course. 40-50 hour weeks of lectures and labs are common, even more of private study and course work.
I did an EEE MEng and in the final year was very much under the hammer with multiple projects and lectures. However the chaps studying joke subjects like humanties and leisure management had all the time in the world. These topics could undoubtedly be taught in a year although the poor souls taking such subjects would collapse under the pressure.
Having said all this, learning required for the ATPLs is a totally different ball game to a university education. I would say the ATPLs are perhaps most similar to post-university professional exams that might be undertaken in a variety of professions.