Applying to universities in the UK as a transfer student.

I am currently a college student in the U.S. and am considering applying to universities in the UK. It has always been a dream of mine to move and fully live in the UK or elsewhere in the EU.

After graduating high school, I took general education classes at two different community colleges, which I was fortunate to complete without incurring any debt. I have since transferred to a university in the U.S., where I will begin classes this August. I plan to study for about four years with an average annual cost of around $20,000 USD (roughly $10,000 per semester). I currently receive about $16,000 in scholarships, though I do not qualify for financial aid. My intended field of study is engineering.

I am very interested in the idea of completing one or two semesters in the U.S. and then transferring to a university in the UK if it makes financial and academic sense. I have several questions and would greatly appreciate any guidance you can provide:

1. Would I save money by studying in the UK (e.g., in London) compared to the U.S.?
2. How does financial support or student loan access work for international students in the UK?
3. If I incur student debt in the U.S., how might that affect me if I choose to continue my education abroad?
4. At this point, is it still worthwhile to apply to a UK university given my current situation?
5. How does the UCAS application process work for someone like me? I’m about 80% done but confused about the education section and who to list as a reference. I don’t have one person who can verify my academic history, but I can provide official transcripts and have someone who can vouch for my work ethic.
6. In some U.S. states, you can gain in-state tuition after living there for a year (does anything similar exist in the UK, or is that not possible due to being on a student visa?)
7. If I attend a UK university, am I allowed to stay in the country year-round, including summers, or would I need to leave between terms?
8. Is it easier to find a job in the UK after graduating from a UK university as an international student?

Thank you so much for your time and help! I know this is a lot of information and questions, but I really want to make an informed and thoughtful decision.