Well, from my personal experience with UKT, it is worth it. It may seem like a big investment but it gives you a totally different experience.

Perhaps if you're not sure, you can try start with UOL and if you want to transfer, you can do so later on... there's still a choice... (but transferring to London would be much more expensive than a uni outside London.)

a plus for doing a transfer is the benefit of travelling all over europe during the year... you won't feel like coming back after that.    the student visa + uk student status gives you a lot of benefits you won't enjoy as a tourist the next time you visit europe... (that's student's life most people would miss a lot)

as for your concern on the time needed, i believe it doesn't really matter... even if you passed everything within the time frame, it doesn't guarantee a job right after the results are released unless you have connections or very exceptional that you managed to secure one before the result is out... just enjoy your student years and try getting some attachment for experience... it makes a difference regardless of what you think when you're doing it.

try getting advice from colleges that offers both programmes instead of those offering only one... 

If u want to use UOL to transfer, it is possible, like my friend cousin, Cardiff accepted her but condition is she has to redo her year 1 at Cardiff again. It's up to the university to decide so we cant really tell u the exact requirement.

peers or not, there are pupils who start their pupillage at 21 years old...so unless u fall into the 21 or 22 category, you still ay find yourself taking instructions from younger LAs.

Yes they do.