What would be the best course of action for me? Should I study for an aeronautical/aerospace engineering degree in UK for 3 years and then do an apprenticeship for AME?
If it helps, I do enjoy mathematics and physics to a great extent (I got my A*s - 90% - in those subjects).
No hate - but a classroom is not real life when it comes to doing the dirty work. Being good in maths an physics doesn't help at all when you're changing a brake in the freezing rain or feeling the love of a skydrol burn when you're replacing a hydraulic component.
It's not a white collar job at the end of the day in a typical sense - you as a licensed engineer are expected to have knowledge of the systems, keep your education levels up to date, manage individuals and supervise their work, certify for them etc.
But you have to be able to walk the walk first which means doing the hard yards.
Do you have an aversion to working in the summer sun or winter rains in extreme ear damaging noise ? Shift work that will take years off your life leaving you feeling fatigued on your days off ? Management which will claim you're not worth what they pay you day in day out. Then there's the fact that it's a toxic environment day in day out, the Jet A1 smell wears very thin after a few years.
If that's not an issue then become a hands on aircraft engineer if you can get a scant apprenticeship - it's not exactly a growth industry anymore in the 1st world. It is a rewarding career in a lot of aspects however you will find a majority of people who are stuck in it won't recommend it to others. By 'stuck' I mean you will have to invest 10+ years to become a competent engineer which means if you decide to make a career change down the track you will be substantially older, more then likely with financial commitments and a family.
If you prefer to work in an office supporting from behind the scenes go to university and do one of the aerospace disciplines. I can't speak anymore about them because that's not where I work. I can't see how doing a degree then an apprenticeship will be of benefit - it's one or the other and very different career paths at the end of the day.