ual product and industrial design

Hey guys, i'm considering applying for the product and industrial design degree at ual csm but I'm not too sure if I should because Ive been hearing some bad things about csm and ual in general. also my portfolio is kinda bad because I only have 5 (kinda crap) pieces of work to show (and i don't really have time to make more) but my grades are A*AB and my personal statement is pretty good too so would it balance out? I heard that if I applied to a uni through clearing then I won't have to submit a portfolio, is this true? and if so, do you think I'm better off applying to ual in clearing? (do they even do clearing...?)