Hi James,
There are plenty of great FTO's in the UK that won't charge you and arm, leg and a kidney!
Speaking from my own experience having researched, pondered and finally signed away my life on an Integrated Course starting at the beginning of September I can offer some of my thoughts.
I have been able to gain a place with FTA (Flying Time Aviation) in Shoreham for a total cost of £59,950 which will give me the full fATPL with Ground Exams and an MCC on top.They also offer a Modular Course for around £49,225 so two options are available off the shelf straight away.
The school is great, friendly, professional and very modern fleet of DA40 and DA42 aircraft to learn on. I know of pilots working for airlines that rate them as an honest and reliable school with a solid reputation. They also allow all students to pay for the Integrated Course month by month, so you won't risk the full sum upfront! This for me was a big bonus in that my money is somewhat protected by paying in instalments.......
Other schools which I looked at prior to choosing FTA include Stapleford in Essex, they offer a Modular route, not sure if they included MCC from memory in that but the price was a higher price than FTA when I got the information through from them. They were polite, attentive and honest also.
Also, Multi-Flight in Leeds were another good school and I have heard positive things about them. They offer a Modular Course, were open, honest and again very helpful in their advice.
Last one I think is up in Perth in Scotland, they offer a PATH course, which I think is a kind of mix of Modular/Integrated but I do not know much about them since my place with my chosen FTO was secured before I found out about them.
What I will say, and this is only advise that I was given by people in the job, and thankfully some knowledgeable PPRUNE folks was go to someone like GAPAN for an independent skills assessment, to make sure that you have the ability and aptitude to get through a course, then get yourself to the CAA in Gatwick and take the Class 1 Medical, there is no point signing up to a course if you can't pass the medical or if you have not the aptitude to pass.
I find it difficult to see the appeal of wanting to pay circa 80-90k to FTO's like CTC or OAA, I am sure they have a good product, many cadets over recent years have been placed with low cost airlines and other mainstream airlines, albeit on Flexi Contracts and alike, however as long as there is a queue of people willing to pay these prices, they will continue to operate and more importantly continue to charge these prices. Smaller schools that concentrate on providing solid training and support without all the "bells and whistles" will get my vote all day long....... OK they may not have the newest fancy premises, but then I am there to learn to fly, not admire the £5000 sofa they have in the games room!
For me personally, the appeal of a plastic name badge, uniform and group picture taken on the airfield is not the reason i am doing flight training. I am going for the learning experience, the skills and the challenge that it will give me to gain a commercial licence that will allow me (with luck) to work in the aviation industry.
I hope that the above helps, but I am sure that one of the Mods on the forum will be able to add to my post and provide some valuable insight for you also.
Good Luck!