I'm 28, is it too late to start studying architecture?

It isn't ever too late. If you can love the l...

I don't think one's ever too old to start studying architecture (or any other discipline). Coming to a new discipline after having done another tends to bring a level of maturity to study. I started my undergrad architecture degree at 28 and continued studying until I was in my late 40s (I did a few master's programs afterwards). Starting at a later age means you may have gotten all the 'play' of the early 20s out of the way and can result in more focus on study and achievement. That said, I wasn't nerdy about my study - I still had great fun and took part in fair amout of hijinks, but it was always measured and understood as a way of blowing off steam so I could focus on my work. Good architectural design draws on life experiences and being a bit older means you will have seen and done a bit more that you can reference to understand how people act, behave, use, appropriate and invent their lives in space. As an admissions tutor I have taken on a fair number of mature students, some in their 50s. The only barriers are the financial strain and time commitments which can be harder on someone who may have more responsibility on their plate (family, children, mortgage, etc.). On the social side, for me it meant hanging out and being friends with people quite a bit younger than I was, but I think that kept me fresh and young at heart.

It's certainly not too late, but be prepared for a long slog with little financial reward. Mind you, by the time you have qualified the economic climate may be different!

The field in itself is versatile and unique.  The course content is vast but doesn't tend to deviate your interest in the middle of the course,once you opt it. It has myriad ways,provided you are ready to explore! Coming to the point, it is never too late to learn anything in life if you are passionate about what you are doing. If you wish to pursue this field out of your interest towards it, there's no way to turn back. It will surely pay off in the long run in terms of self-satisfaction. The course is such that it keeps you glued to it till the end.Besides, this is a field where you are creatively challenged. This spares you from the monotonous routine of the work. Talking about the monetary gains- In that terms it is certainly late!! I've already mentioned about the vastness of the course. Besides,you need to practice and implement your knowledge, experiment with your creativity. This is a time consuming process. It even takes much more time, to manipulate your work, face the criticism at times and improve upon it. So it is a long journey,certainly before the money starts rolling in. It totally depends upon your approach towards this field and the objectives behind it so as to decide whether to begin with it or not.

There is the theory of 10,000 hours before one gets to be a professional. This means you can either follow a normal procedure, meaning 5 to 8 years, combining work with life but it can also mean if you push it, within minimum 3 years you will be able to reach pro level. It is up to yourself to say it is too late or not. In the end the profession is not like athletics, it can be a life-long career.

No, but it's harder, because the older you are, the more likely you are to want to settle down. You won't have much time for this, and very little money either. It will take you around 7 years to qualify full time, and then, you won't earn much at all until you have been qualified for at least 5 years. You will be earning less than most if not all of your contemporaries with a similar educational background. You'll be a 'poor relation'. Your family won't care that you want to make the world a better place when you aren't earning a lot and have to regularly work late. You will have fewer choices, and you will be stuck in your new career path, for which there are probably no shortcuts. As others have said, it's a long, hard path, and you. Have to really, *really* want it. It's not a great career for the time, effort, debt and earnings compared with lots of other professions. I really enjoy being an architect, but I'm not sure I would recommend it to anyone.

No.  I started at 34 and I had several people older than me in my program.  A few things to remember, some of which have already been stated.  Achitecture school is all encompassing, it will take 100% of your time. There is a culture (especially in school and for young designers in big firms) that you'll work crazy hours. Salaries are lower than you'd expect. It's alot of fun and greatly rewarding. People love architects. The most important thing is life and architecture is a sense of curiosity and to keep learning.

One of the best things about studying architecture is the wide variety of people of different ages, backgrounds and experience it seems to draw, creating mixed and vibrant year groups. I started my undergraduate in my early 20's but took about 5 years out between my undergraduate and diploma living and working in Berlin. I was worried that this would have a negative effect on my admission prospects when I was applying to study again. However every admissions tutor I spoke to saw it as a real positive, and this certainly contributed to me getting accepted to where I wanted to go.Many of my friends started out at around 25-30 and a few were in their late 30's. Rather than setting them back, their added experience and maturity drove and enriched their work. Many architecture courses can sometimes seem more rooted in sociology and politics than real world design. A few years of extra life experience brings with it understanding and insights which can enhance the work you produce. As long as you can keep an open mind age shouldn't be a problem.To reiterate what others have said about the course itself, most are long and demanding. Even making it past the first year takes an incredible amount of passion and commitment. When you do finally graduate, be prepared for long hours and relatively poor pay. The gratification instead comes from doing something you love every day – the thrill of seeing something transfer from the the computer screen to site is fantastic.

I dont think you're too old to start anything actually, but I have to admit that you must REALLY want this. Be sure that you want to go into this field, its a competitive/time consuming career choice so you really should be sure of the decision. I would suggest that you do an internship somewhere before taking this leap, and then you can decide from there perhaps. Or consider a short master program rather than a 5 year undergrad program. In any sense, be sure you want to do this before you go into it, and then follow your passion and do it! Good luck!