Statistically speaking, if you get on an Area course you will more than likely (70%?) get posted to Swanwick (either AC or TC).
If you get Airports/Approach, you still stand a good chance of being posted to somewhere in the South but less so than an Area student.
Unfortunately....also statistically.....not many 35 year old ab initio's make it. But don't let that put you off, it's not impossible.