From 30 March 2009, Student visa application rules have been changed by the UK Government. Please see below for guidance.

To be able to apply as an adult student you must have:

1. A place on a course with an approved education provider - 30 points; and
   
2. Enough money at the time you submit your application to cover your course fees and monthly living costs - 10 points

Process of Applying for a Student Visa Outside the United Kingdom

1.     Choose the course you want to study and check it is a level accepted by UK Border Agency

2.     Check the institution you want to apply to is an approved education provider. Tier 4 register of sponsors

3.     Work out what money you must have to cover your course fees and monthly living costs at the time you submit your application.

4.     Get a visa letter from your approved education provider (you get 30 points for your visa letter), and get all the documents you used to get your visa letter. The visa letter is confirmation of your unconditional offer of a place on a course of study. You must have a visa letter when you apply, or your application will be refused

5.     Get all the documents and proof you need to prove the availability of your money (you get 10 points for your money). The money you need to show covers your course fees for your first year of study and living costs for up to a maximum of nine months. The amount you will need depends on whether you are applying as a child or adult. You must show that you have held the money for at least 28 days. You can provide bank or building society statements, a building society passbook, a letter from your bank confirming money or a loan, a letter from a regulated financial institution or a letter of official financial sponsorship.

6.     Fill in the application form and provide it with the fee for your student visa and your documents and proof.

You can view video discussion of frequently made errors when applying for student visa here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydsrpvCJVUk