The format is similar - may be differences between games, speed of blinds, amount of starting chips, but the difference is more site by site and game v game than play money v real money. Typically a 10 man STT has top 3 paid at 50%, 30% and 20% (so the same).
Almost all poker (though there are a few exceptions) operates in dollars - I can't think specifically for
Bet365, though the sites usually do the exchange at the mid rate (i.e. between buy and sell rates) - and your winnings are converted at the same rate as the buy in - so as far as I am aware, they don't profit at all with exchange rates. If you play in a $1 game, then something like £0.60 will be deducted from your account.
Seriously consider playing a few Freerolls - it sounds to me like you're ready for it, and you are risking nothing of your own!!! Popular ones amongst the beginners are Safety Net at
Sporting Odds at 19:00 each evening and Bankroll Booster at
Blue Square at 19:45 each evening. The
Europoker Freeroll at 17:00 each evening is good value. I'd recommend you pick one and make it your mission each time you play to finish higher than you did last time - you'll be hitting the money (with no investment) in no time!!!)
If you want to play a freeroll on
Bet365 to avoid getting any more software - they have a $5,000 freeroll every Saturday evening. This does have in excess of 5000 entrants though (with top 130 I think receiving cash prizes!!!)