My recomendation would be to go for electrical.

At the uni I went to the electrical / mechatronic / telecommunications etc. engineers all did basically the same degree with a few subjects towards the end that gave you the specialisation. I got my degree in telecommunications engineering, what I wasn't told was that there are very few specific telecommunications engineering jobs. I've worked for a few years as an electronics engineer and now I'm working in the HVAC field basically as an electrical/project engineer.

The problem I've found is that the HR person that receives your resume might not know exactly what that speciality can do so have no idea why a telecommunications engineer is applying for say a computer systems engineering job, however most would recognise the old staple of 'electrical engineer'.

I would think that most uni's now would have bridging programs if you didn't to the correct maths etc. at school. I know mine did.

As for takeing a year off to save money etc. I think the two things you'll be as an engineering student is poor and drunk :D

That's my 2 cents anyway.