@TommyOv
I did say 'or equivalent'. Your friend may well have had something they were prepared to accept. The amount of engineering you will have to learn, to fly a modern jet is more easily assimilated by degree level entrants. The cost of training a fast jet pilot in the RAF these days makes it essential that people start with a good chance of surviving the training.
I don't think the ATC was ever set up as a feeder to RAF flying training. It is good that some ex ATC make it to the cockpit, but the essential feature of potentially giving air time to all cadets still exists. Otherwise what's the point?