This document outlines the age rating system used in the UK for classifying films and other media. It describes the content restrictions and guidelines for Universal (U), Parental Guidance (PG), 12A/12, 15, and 18 ratings. The U and PG ratings have the most restrictions around language, sexual content, violence, and depictions of drugs/dangerous behavior. The 12A/12, 15 and 18 ratings have progressively fewer restrictions and are not suitable for children under the ages of 12, 15 and 18 respectively.

1. Audience Classification
Age Rating

2. UNIVERSAL
• U stands for universal and is suitable for children aged four years and over
• Very mild bad language can be used in U rated films for example ‘damn’ and ‘hell’.
• Characters in films rated a U can be seen kissing or cuddling with references to
sexual behaviour. But films will not focus on sexual behaviour.
• Violence will be very mild and again films won’t focus on the behaviour which
could upset or influence children.
• There will be no illegal drugs or drug misuse unless there is a very clear
educational purpose that children of a young age can understand.

3. PARENTAL GUIDANCE
• PG stands for parental guidance. PG means that the film is suitable for general viewing but some scenes
may unsuitable for younger children. A PG film should be suitable and not unsettle children at the age of
eight years old and above.
• A PG film can will not contain any theme which is inappropriate for a child. PG films can include issues as
challenging as bullying, bereavement and racism.
• Sexual references are unlikely unless they are undetailed and infrequent.
• Violence will usually be mild. Should be no detail of violence in PG work for example if there is blood we
would not see how the injury happened in strong detail.
• Dangerous behaviour e.g. bullying, playing with electricity will not be condoned in PG films. There will not
be any focus on easy accessible weapons e.g. knives. Smoking and drinking alcohol will not be promoted,
if a character is seen smoking or drinking there should be a clear message that doing things like that are
bad and should be clear for the children watching PG films.
• Illegal drugs and drug misuse may occur but there will not be a strong focus on this. Drug references will
be allowed in PG films if there is a clear anti-drugs or educational message eight year old and over children
will be likely to understand.

4. 12A & 12
• Films classified with a 12A and 12 contain material that is not suitable for children under the age
of 12. Anyone under the age of 12 will not be allowed to see a 12A movie unless accompanied by
an adult this is enforced by the cinema staff and the cinema may lose its license if a child under
the age of 12 is admitted.
• Accompanied viewing can’t be enforced at home that is why films have the 12 certificate on the
DVD/Blu-ray disk so a child cannot purchase the DVD if they are not 12 or over.
• Strong language can be used in 12A and 12 movies if it is used in the right way, there may be
moderated language for example ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ in 12A and 12 movies.
• In 12A films moderate behaviour is allowed but shouldn’t contain a lot of detail. Blood/Injury
may be shown if it’s used in a medical scene. Action sequences and weapons may be used and
there may be long fighting scenes. Weapons which might be easy accessible e.g. knives shouldn’t
be glamorised in these films.
• Moderate physical and physiological threat is allowed in 12A and 12 films.
• Dangerous behaviour is allowed in 12A and 12 films but should not show a lot of detail which
could be copied.
• There may be scenes of drugs misuse but again should not show a lot of detail and again
shouldn’t be glamorised.

5. 15
Children under the age of 15 are not admitted into cinemas for films that are 15 rated and will not be allowed to buy or rent any
movies rated 15.
Any theme is allowed as long as it’s appropriate for 15 year olds.
What you may see in a 15 rated movie:
 Violence
 Frequent Strong Language
 Sexual activity
 Strong verbal references to sex
 Sexual nudity
 Drug taking
There is no limit on strong language but it has to be used in the right way, aggressive used of strong language will not be used in
15 rated films. There may be homophobic, racist or other discriminatory language but at 15 the works should not encourage
discriminatory language or behavior. Sexual activity can be portrayed but usually without a lot of detail but some of the scenes
can be quite long in this category.
Violence can be strong, there should not be a huge focus on pain and injury. There may be detailed references to sexual violence.
Drug taking can be seen but should not promote or encourage drug misuse. Dangerous behavior or things teens may copy is taken
into consideration.

6. 18
• Films rated 18 are for adults no one under the age of 18 can buy/rent a DVD of this age rating.
• No theme is banned because adults are allowed to choose their entertainment providing the material is
not illegal or potentially harmful. Some themes can still be offensive in a 18.
What you may see in an 18:
• Strong violence
• Frequent strong language
• Portrayals of sexual activity
• Scenes of sexual violence
• Strong horror
• Strong blood and gore
• Discriminatory language and behaviour
There is no limit on strong language. Uses could be aggressive, directed, frequent or accompanied by strong
violence.
There may be racist, homophobic or other discriminatory language at 18.
Very strong, crude and explicit sex references are permitted at 18
At 18 horror movies can contain strong horror, gore or sustained threat
Again drugs are shown as long as the movie doesn’t promote or encourage drug misuse
Very dangerous or criminal behaviour