Advice needed: Asset Management career switch (UK)

I'm currently a 24 year old, qualified as a financial adviser but practicing as a paraplanner. I also have a number of other financial qualifications such as mortgage advice, equity release and pension transfers although I don't have a degree as I came into work out of school. I love helping clients manage their money but I want to work more closely with investments and with bigger accounts than individuals and small businesses as I do at the moment.

I was hoping to eventually make the move into an analyst role in a buy side AM firm which provides the potential to move onto fund management later in my career. As the minimum requirements are a degree I have been looking at the IFS University's Banking and Practice Management Degree as I can do this in two years while I'm working full time.

What I need advice on is the following:

1) Given that i'll be 26-27 before I can enrol in a graduate programme or internship, will this be too old? 2) Are there any advantages or concessions due to the fact that I have two years financial work experience meeting clients and providing paraplanning support for client's investments? 3) Are there any disadvantages or obstacles due to the fact that I am a later student, broke the mould, and probably a good 3-4 years older than others in my role? 4) Would they consider me without a degree but as a chartered financial adviser as they are on the same level on the education (pyramid). 5) Is there anything else I should be aware of that may help/hinder my chances of getting such a job?

Basically what do I need to do to work as an AM analyst?