Just thought I would throw my two pence in. I actually completed an Aero Eng degree at Manchester two years ago and I really didn’t enjoy it. Don't get me wrong, Uni was a fantastic experience and I really enjoyed my time in Manchester, but the course was not what I had hoped for and I do not feel it is of much use at all with the ATPL exams. Too many people (myself included) do an Aerospace Engineering degree because they think 'planes, cool that course will be interesting'. Unless you are interested in the details of finite element analysis, advanced mathematics or CFD then you will struggle with the course. It is partly through my experience that we set up the degree programs with Leeds Uni aiming them more generally at a wide range of careers in the Aviation Industry as opposed to the engineering industry. The course is not useless if you already have a PPL as there is a management option which gives you a placement in Airport Operations as well as covering a large portion of the subjects contained in the ATPL's making them a lot easier when you come to do them (sorry moderators I realise I am biased). In the end I agree with most of the advice here, go and do a degree which appeals to you, but please don't do what I did and take Aero Eng thinking it will all be about how you put a plane together.