It's many years since I got my degree from Sheffield Uni but I do know that (like almost every university) they do give 'freshers' priority when it comes to allocating places in their halls of residence (with catered accommodation).
In many cities, student halls of residence are located in some of the 'seedier' parts of the city. The complete opposite is true of Sheffield, where the majority of their accommodation is located in some of the 'poshest' (and safest) areas in Yorkshire (but with excellent bus services direct to the main campus).
Although my Sheffield degree is in mathematics, I've since qualified in journalism. I find it hard to think of anywhere in the UK that could be a better place to study the subject. Sheffield is has a vibrant student scene, while being one of the safest cities in the UK. Anyone who has a chance to study there would be mad not to.
Chris