You can apply for a Chinese tourist visa at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center in London if you study in London, please make online apponintment through the website http://www.visaforchina.org.uk/, and prepare the required documents for tourist visa:
(i) Original passport remaining to be valid for at least 6 months from the date of application and with sufficient blank visa pages.

(ii) One completed Visa Application Form with a recently-taken passport photo; all the items on the application form should be completed neatly with genuine information;

(iii)An applicant holding a passport other than UK passport should provide the original and a copy of his or her permanent residence or work permit which should be valid for at least half a year (except for those who are visa or permit exempt for residing or working in the UK).