This document outlines the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) rating system for films and videos in the United Kingdom. It describes the criteria for ratings of U, PG, 12A, 15, and 18. A U film is suitable for all age groups but may upset young children. A PG film needs parental guidance for scenes that may upset children under 8. A 12A film requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 to view it at the cinema. A 15 rating means no one under 15 can view the film at the cinema or rent/buy the video. An 18 rating means a film is only for adult viewers and can contain very strong themes such as violence, language, sexual content, and discrimination.

2. U stands for UNIVERSAL ( can be viewed by all
age groups).A U film should be suitable for
audiences aged four years and over. However,
it is impossible to predict what might upset a
particular child, especially at this lower end of
the category range.

3. PG stands for Parental Guidance.This means a
film is suitable for general viewing, but some
scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
A PG film should not unsettle a child aged
around eight or older. Parents should consider
whether the content may upset younger, or
more sensitive, children.

4. Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is
not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than
12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult.
Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should
consider whether the film is suitable for that child.To help them decide,
we recommend that they check the BBFCinsight for that film in advance.
The 12A requires an adult to accompany any child under 12 seeing a 12A
film at the cinema. This is enforced by cinema staff and a cinema may
lose its license if adult accompaniment is not enforced for children under
12 admitted to a 12A film. Accompanied viewing cannot be enforced in
the home, so the 12 certificate remains for DVD/Blu-ray, rather than the
12A.The 12 is also a simpler system for retailers. It means they cannot
sell or rent the item unless the customer is over the age of 12.

5. No-one under 15 is allowed to see a 15 film at
the cinema or buy/rent a 15 rated video. 15
rated works are not suitable for children under
15 years of age. No theme is prohibited,
provided the treatment is appropriate for 15
year olds.

6. Films rated 18 are for adults. No-one under 18 is
allowed to see an 18 film at the cinema or buy / rent
an 18 rated video. No 18 rated works are suitable for
children. No theme is prohibited at 18. Adults are
free to choose their own entertainment provided
the material is not illegal or potentially harmful, so it
is possible some themes tackled at 18 may be
offensive even to some adult viewers.
18 works are for adults and can contain strong issues
such as:
• very strong violence
• frequent strong language (e.g. 'f***') and / or
very strong language (e.g. ‘c***’)
• strong portrayals of sexual activity
• scenes of sexual violence
• strong horror
• strong blood and gore
• real sex (in some circumstances)
discriminatory language and behavior