I think you could start being a real scientist from when you choose to do your PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) a advanced degree after your first and/ second degree at university. It can take a minimum of 3 years to finish in the UK and sometimes longer.
Yes, as Rosemary said studying for a degree at university in England usually takes 3 years, or 4 years in Scotland. Some people do an additional postgraduate degree (like a Master) afterwards which can be 1-2 years, and others do a foundation degree beforehand (which will usually last a year). So on average probably ~4 years until you’re trained up enough to start going into research or other scientific roles. (it definitely doesn’t seem as long in hindsight though for me!)
So, you go through full time school until you’re 16 and have GCSEs. You then spend 2 years doing A Levels. You then do a 3/4 year Bachelors/Masters. I did a 4 year Masters called an MSci. You can then go into a science related job and be a scientist in industry. Or you can do a PhD (3-4 years in the UK), and legally become a Doctor (this is what I’m currently doing!). You can then do postdoctoral positions, and eventually become a Professor.
At what point you call yourself a “scientist” is kind of up to you, though! You don’t get a title saying “you are officially a scientist”! I would say it’s when you start to do real research or get a job that uses your scientific skills. That varies from job to job and degree to degree.
I would say I became a scientist in the third/fourth year of my degree. Some people don’t think they are scientists until they finish their PhD. But in general, between the age of 20-25 is when most people in science would call themselves a scientist.
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