As you say, this question comes up a hell of a lot. It's a simple matter to do a search on Wannabes, so I strongly advise you to spend an afternoon looking at what has been said before. The advice hasn't changed.
However, just to put you on the right lines,
do not attempt an Aeronautical Engineering degree because someone tells you it'll help your ATPL theory! That, in a word, is crap. Oh, sure, you'll cruise the tech and PoF theory - if you've completed the degree, but this is the worst possible reason for choosing this subject. It's a bit like doing a degree in Shakespear because you've got an English GCSE coming up!
If you have no intention of being an aeronautical engineer, and the idea of doing this subject at universtity for three or four years isn't your abiding wish, then be sensible: do whatever degree most interests you - if you decide to go to uni. Employers prefer people who have completed their degrees, whatever the subject, rather than those who've dropped out of a degree they couldn't cope with.
Of course, if aeronautical engineering is (or could be) your main interest, then go do it - whether or not you intend to use it in the world of work!
Scroggs Virgin/Wannabes Moderator
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