Very sad news. 🙁

If you want to do a degree, do it in something other than aviation. Use the degree as a safety net incase you lose your medical or something.

Regarding to training. I would suggest you work full time for a few years (maybe 3yrs give or take the general wage) and then try and do the training at a good flying school.

First of all obtain your class 1 medical at Gatwick. Getting the class 1 first is the best option as it could save you alot of money if you end up failing it. After that go for your PPL. After the PPL i’d recommend doing the hour building (up to 150hrs to be valid to do the CPL) and then studying for the ATPL exams. Once the ATPL exams are out of the way go for your CPL and instructors rating. If your cash flow is good then also get the IR. However if you’re strapped for cash at this point instruct for a while and try to save up for the IR.

If possible i’d recommend trying to do your training close to home so you dont have to travel far nor have to live else where (you dont want additional expenses on top of your training fee!)

As previously mentioned try to do all your training with one flying school. The flying school I currently fly with offers everything except the ATPL, which is not a problem because there are plenty of other training organisations at the airfield I fly from that offer the ATPL groundschool anyway.

Other alternatives are Atlantic Airlines Cadet scheme and also Highland Airways Cadet scheme however competition is quite high and requires alot of dedication as they work you like a dog in operations and other duties (but its worth it)

Finally – Enjoy it and good luck.