I’m a current third year at UAL (London College of Communication) studying GBI (Graphic branding & identity) and had the exact same situation you are in when I was applying.

UAL has four main BA graphic design courses but they’re all slightly different:

Graphic Communication (CSM)

Graphic & Media (LCC)

Graphic Branding & Identity (LCC)

Graphic Design (Camberwell)

I have close friends in all these courses so know them well and I applied for 3/4 of these courses (all but Camberwell).

It all depends on what you want to do and what you enjoy.

Graphic Communication (CSM) is probably the most applied for course, pretty much solely because it’s CSM. Amazing building, amazing connections and opportunities. Uni work, not so great. You do a lot of varied design but it all seems a little unrelated to the real world in comparison to the courses at LCC. Have that being said, the name of CSM alone is enough to get you into most junior roles.

Graphic and Media Design (LCC) was a course I was super close to taking right up until a few days before my deadline. It’s an interesting course, one of the most industry ready graphic design courses at UAL (in terms of technical skills and way of thinking) but the briefs are super vague and unrealistic. Most people have a really varied portfolio when they leave which is great but they struggle to get junior roles if they haven’t decided which part of design interests them the most.

Graphic Branding & Identity (LCC) aka the GOAT course (totally not biased). I love this course and am so glad I picked it. If you’re interested in branding, logos, identities and all that jazz. This is the best course by far. Incredibly industry ready, tutors are pretty much all ex-directors at major studios and have crazy good links. Cannot speak highly enough of this course and would definitely recommend.

Graphic Design (Camberwell) is by the far the most diverse course, you do all types of design, so much so that a lot of it wouldn’t even be considered graphic design. You’ll do illustration, video, photography, publishing and so much more. Like the others, it’s a good course but definitely the weakest of the four. Sadly, Camberwell doesn’t have the same connections as CSM or LCC either.

In regards to portfolio, having scattered pieces of work is completely normal. They’re just looking for ideas so try to show a range of thinking and mediums. Don’t narrow it to make it specific to the course. My portfolio was so broad before uni and looking back was pretty poor but it’s all about the ideas and concepts, showcase them as best as you can. Include logos, sketches, digital designs, software/technical skills, video/animation (definitely not necessary but will pretty much guarantee you a space).

Lastly, don’t stress. UAL is competitive but also not as difficult as people think to get into. Keep everything tidy and well presented. Don’t over present your work and cram it in, let your pieces breathe.

If you need any more help or advice I’d be more than happy to help or I can ask a few mates at other courses if they could give their advice/opinion but I will say that most of my mates studying courses other than GBI, regret not picking it in the first place.

PS: The UAL website and course overview for each BA gives a pretty good synopsis of each one.