You can submit your visa application to Chinese embassy in your country and the requirements are clear in this page, please check carefully.The general processing time is 4 working days and No visa fee will be charged.

I just applied for a student visa as well in China. The procedure is you must know first when the classes will start of the program you chose.The you must fill up an application (online)& send to the school you are planning to study and pay 400 rmb for the application fee,you can also upload the documents needed such as Diploma.

On my case i waited for 2 weeks before i got the admission package from the school. It comes with admission letter stating they are accepting me as an International Student and a document from the ministry of Education of China.

Right after you received the admission package you can bring it at the China Embassy in your country.

There`s also another option, which was offered to me of the school. When i applied i was in China and only holding a tourist visa, you can change your visa from tourist to student in China without going back to your country. All you have to do is enroll right away...