ATPL theory only just about reaches GCSE difficulty; it is no way comparable to degree level study.
If we made ATPL principals of flight on par with BEng level Aerodynamics I suspect 70% of pilots out there would never pass the ATPLs. The fact is the educational level needed to be a pilot these days isn't actually that great. The way the ground school on a modern type rating also means the technical knowledge needed to pass a modern type rating is also quite low. If someone chooses to go straight to pilot training at 18 without first getting some other career then that is the chance they take.
If you want to do a MSc or a PHd then sorry go and do a degree first. Interestingly in North America all the Major airlines require a College Degree anyway.