Choosing the right University/Degree

[DS23]

Newcastle Upon Tyne is less dull than Stoke.

failing that you could always pretend at newcastle under lyme

[lukemg]

Forget forensics, I used to work at a forensics co, the computer side was small and most of the expertise was developed in house.
Standard tools are or will be developed to pull this data, I just don't see a long term career in this.
Uni - These are niche IT courses at small uni/ex-polys ? Very limiting in career options later and unlikely to be competitive against established workers with experience.
GO TO UNI if you want the experience, time off real life etc you will likely love it AND appreciate it tons more than those going straight from A-Levels. Career wise, I don't see you jumping into a great career from here, you can buy a lot of training courses for the money this will cost and save yourself years !!
Be aware you are on the cusp of too old to hang with 18 yr olds, you might find them puerile. The girls will be more interesting though (BUT NOT ON YOUR COURSE !!!!)
Chap on my course was 29, we called him old bald b*****d, affectionately of course.
Good luck