Thanks guys,
I think one of the main reasons I want to apply is to further increase my employability. I really want to work as an engineer in the states and/or Canada in the future, and through all of the research i've done, no matter how much experience you have, they will only let you in with a degree.
I know this will sound weird but I also feel like i've slightly cheated into getting to where I am, i'm doing the same job as graduates will at the end of their scheme, and neither of us will use anything we've learnt through our qualifications, but they've at least learnt this material to a higher level.
In all honesty i'm pretty stuck as to what to do, as I've been working as an aerospace engineer from such a young age (in comparison to the rest of the country), I've quickly come to realise that industry REALLY isn't what it's cracked up to be. You start to think whilst staring in front of a computer that this isn't the way to spend the rest of your life - and that's not because of the engineering side of it, it's more just the company.
With an apprenticeship and a degree under my belt, I stand in better stead than either just an apprenticeship or just a degree. I feel that it would come with a great sense of satisfaction, as well as allowing me to broaden my horizons. Another thing i've realised is that if I want to climb the ladder in companies other than the one I did my apprenticeship with, then i'll probably need a degree anyway.