Career change into motorsport industry?

[KAM]

Rather than interupt the guys thread about wanting to join F1 I thought i'd start my own thread. After many years in a career in the print industry i realised that i just was not enjoying the work. I've been looking at going back and studying a degree again at 29. For a good few years I have enjoyed spannering on cars as a hobby but am looking into taking this further.
I have been in contact with the university of hertfordshire about studying their motorsport engineering course but reading some comments has left me a little worried that this is completely the wrong direction to take. I can't afford to take a mickey mouse degree as I am not in the position to be able to waste time and money.

I really am nervous as I do not totally know the job prospects in the industry and really would like some advice on the type of money that can be earned realistically. I do not expect to be out in some pit garage every weekend working on a million pound car with pit girls bobbing up and down at the entrance (though that would obviously be nice lol). Just working cars i have a passion for will float my boat. I know i'd have to work my arse off to get anywhere but the dream of a hands on job that I actually have a passion for at least forces me to look seriously at this change of career.

Can anyone pass on some nuggets of wisdom?