Be aware that the original poster is in the UK, we don't have Radio Shack (Tandy) here any more.

It has mostly been said now, but some things are worth re-iterating. As you have done GCSE electronics, you should have all the necessary background safety info, and know how to use a soldering iron and breadboard. I have seen the GCSE Electronics exams, they aren't in-depth but you should now have a really good theoretical and practical platform to build on your skills. If you have no components or a breadboard, Maplin do a GCSE component kit and a selection of decent breadboards. Find your local amateur radio club, and consider studying for the exams. People there should (will) have copies of the various official RSGB manuals. They provide a good structure to learn both the theory and practical side of things. Sure, embedded processors are important, but go with what interests you and not some geek half way around the world. "Art of Electronics" isn't cheap but it is pretty much the Electronics Engineers bible and will last you a long long time.

Handily, the C64 emulator is based on a cheap FPGA, some flash and some RAM. Exactly what I would specify for a cheap generic computer that can be upgraded to new architectures. It might make sense to integrate these into mobile phones, which now seem to be getting very popular in the developing world. Out of the box, the 1541 communicated at 1200bps. Slower than the Sinclair ZX Spectrum's 1500bps tape loader. But of course neither stayed standard for long.