You'd be better off not spending (what does uni cost these days, 5-10k a year, fees, rent, food, beer?) 20-30k, and just stay at home (I've no idea how old you are?) and practise.
If you are 17 and considering a career, great, but after going through uni, all it does is open doors. You still need experience in the real world to compete.
If you want to be employable, you'd be better off spending 3 years working freelance, assuming you know how to take a 1/2 decent shot already ? Build up a portfolio and see where it takes you.
Someone I know did photography at uni, it was more about art than picture taking, as really, there aren't any rules as such... like learning to be a teacher or a doctor IYSWIM. She now works in a curtain shop, as the world of being a graduate photographers assistant wasn't all it seemed cracked up to be.
Evening classes by all means, everyone's got something to learn, even those that are 50+ years in the game... but I don't think doing a degree and wasting 3 years experience will achieve what you want.
However, cameras, work out your budget, then go try some for size in Jessops (other camera outlets are available).
Remember you'll want a half decent camera, lenses, flash(es?), tripods, bag, memory, a decent computer to store/PP photos, and then you'll want an upgrade !
I bought a £80 Fuji bridge, a year later sold that bought a 450d and have since upgraded to a 7D, and have 4 lenses and a flash and some other bits and bobs, all kicking around the £2-3k mark ! :S It's not a cheap hobby, and I'm not even talking full frame / decent glass prices there.
What is the plan long term ? Freelance ? Full time employee of EVO mag ? Weddings ? Curtain shop ?
I should stop rambling now...
