I seem to recall one of the Mumsnetters who was in this thread earlier on (when it was more about applying to university), had a DC who had taken a gap year but got a confirmed place at B'ham University. Despite being very quick off the mark in making accommodation choices, well ahead of the majority (and so in theory at an advantage), I'm sure the MNetter reported that they'd been allocated the most expensive halls, at nigh on £8K per annum.
Birmingham don't allocate accommodation on a first come first served basis, so that those taking exams in the summer are not disadvantaged, as long as they apply by the deadline date for guaranteed accommodation.
My son is in Oakley Court at Pritchatts Park, which was his 2nd or 3rd choice I think. His first choice was Tennis Courts in the Vale, which seems to be party central, but he's happy with his flat and gets on well with his, predominantly female, flatmates. There are 11 or 12 in the flat and there seem to be 3 or 4 flatmates that keep themselves to themselves more, but they are not awful or anything. The rooms are standard size i.e. just big enough, and the communal spaces are clean and modern and quite spacious.
He went for shared bathrooms when he realised that any extra £s he paid for en-suite would reduce the amount he had to spend elsewhere, because we are topping up his maintenance loan to equal the maximum loan, then he is paying the accommodation costs.