Picking Uni for BA Graphic Design (Camberwell UAL/Loughborough University)

Hey guys!
Please help me pick uni. I have been given conditional offers from Loughborough University and Camberwell College UAL, both courses BA Graphic Design. UAL has good reputation and it is considered to be the second best art uni in the world, but I have heard mixed opinions about it - that only some courses are on that prestigious level and some courses are pretty average. Also, the condition they gave me is to pass their 6-week online summer course (BA preparation), as my portfolio lacked the showcase of the process (I really tried to put it there but sometimes I make my art pieces right away I get the idea, so I do not have many sketches etc..), which would cost additional 5 000£. When it comes to Loughborough, it has excellent ranking as well, it is supposed to be the 32. best art school in the world. Some even say that the Graphic design course is even better than in UAL. Also, when I was watching their online tours on Youtube, the school looks amazing. I also loved the admission process, it was probably the best among all the schools I have applied to.
Both schools are pretty amazing and they both have a lot to offer. Some people say to go to UAL as the University is more known and it would look good on my CV, but maybe I will learn more in Loughborough and CV is not the only thing that matters in the future. What do you think about these unis/courses? Maybe some of you even have personal experience? I know I may sound in this post like ranking is the only thing that matters to me, but it is really not like that and that’s why I cannot decide.
Thank you for all the responses.

Hey, I've been to both unis for an open day but also for an offer holder day. What I'll say is that UAL's graphic design course(s) are definitely not the best ones in UK. I've been to UAL for graphic branding and identity course and although it seemed alright it wasn't ambitious enough for me. I assume the same for Camberwell as I also got an offer from there. But I heard that they're more experimental and relaxed and if this is what you want then definitely consider it. However Loughborough has way more advantages in my opinion. With Loughborough you'll be learning more about softwares and other techniques whereas with UAL it's up to how much you can learn by yourself. Also, Loughborough's students have worked with a lot of great brands such as Puma etc. while I haven't heard much about UAL from this perspective. Loughborough is more competitive and helps you to get into the industry while UAL allows you to be more experimental and overall be chill. Hope this helps 🙂

Hey, I've been to both unis for an open day but also for an offer holder day. What I'll say is that UAL's graphic design course(s) are definitely not the best ones in UK. I've been to UAL for graphic branding and identity course and although it seemed alright it wasn't ambitious enough for me. I assume the same for Camberwell as I also got an offer from there. But I heard that they're more experimental and relaxed and if this is what you want then definitely consider it. However Loughborough has way more advantages in my opinion. With Loughborough you'll be learning more about softwares and other techniques whereas with UAL it's up to how much you can learn by yourself. Also, Loughborough's students have worked with a lot of great brands such as Puma etc. while I haven't heard much about UAL from this perspective. Loughborough is more competitive and helps you to get into the industry while UAL allows you to be more experimental and overall be chill. Hope this helps 🙂

Oh my, you also have been to offer holders day? I went this year too😊. I visited both unis and I also had a feeling that in Loughborough they are more ambitious and they gonna teach you more softwares and stuff like that😊. Also, the offer holder day seemed way more organized and I would say that also tells you something about the university. Did you went for the branding course offer holder day or have you finished the course itself? (sorry, I am not a native speaker and I didn’t quite understand that😊). If you were for an offer holder day, did you choose Lboro as your final uni decision?

I am so sorry for replying just now, I didn’t get the notification about your reply and I haven’t check the app for some time😄. See you in September at Loughborough then!

Oh no, where you gonna stay in the end (i mean accommodation)? And yeah i am nervous as well, new country, new school, new everything, but we will get used to it I am sure!

I totally get that you do not want to share a toilet, I had the same condition! I am staying in private accommodation as well (study inn to be exact). And I am from Slovakia, how about you?

cool! So you are used to uk culture and the school system I suppose, so that’s good for you! I hope you will make your decision today about the accommodation, fingers crossed!