Visit the UK Border Agency's Home Office website to find courses and academic levels acceptable for a Tier 4 student visa applicant. This information is available at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/can-you-apply/course/
Check the Home Office website's list of approved universities, colleges and other educational providers to make sure your intended place of study qualifies. A complete list is available at: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/employersandsponsors/pointsbasedsystem/registerofsponsorseducation
Apply to your chosen educational provider for the course specified.
Obtain an acceptance letter that you can copy for your visa application. You may also need additional documents from your application process to obtain the visa, so check the Border Agency's Confirmation of Acceptance guidelines page at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/can-you-apply/cas/
Calculate the amount of money you will need for your study time in the UK. This includes academic fees and living expenses.
Prepare documentation to prove that you have enough money to study in the UK. This may include bank statements or other proof of funds from you, your family or a benefactor paying for the course.
Visit a film processing center, drugstore or other passport photo-issuing business to obtain 2 passport photos.
Find the Border Agency's Tier 4 visa application, located on the Home Office's Visa website at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/vafs/. Fill out the Points-based system (PBS) General Student self assessment form and submit it with your proof of funds documentation, proof of acceptance, passport photos and visa application fee, which was 145 Pounds as of March 2010.
Find the British consulate or visa-issuing provider closest to you in your country and make an appointment. The Home Office Visa website will have a list of overseas offices at http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/wheretoapply/
You can take your forms into the office in person, or submit them by post to the visa-issuing office. Your fingerprints and passport photos will often be taken at the office. Call ahead to find out whether or not you need to bring these things in advance.