Qualifications improve your chances; they do not gate the job. Level 6 is the most recognised.
Level 6 most recognisedOpen entry
Your route in
You can start without qualifications - direct entry/volunteering; a qualification improves your chances
1
Qualifications employers recognise (Level 6)
Any of these strengthens your application.
2
Where this can take you
Foundation apprenticeship in software/data L2 (no entry quals) or an HND/degree in games art plus a portfolio; Junior VFX Artist L4 apprenticeship is an intermediate route.