Differences between the ratings

Below I have looked at and summarised the key differences between each of the different ratings:

U > PG

• At PG the themes can be more grown up but both still must not condone the behaviour
• Sex and Relationships can be a little more advanced from U to PG aslong as its discreet and infrequent
• In PG's drug use is more acceptable but still must carry a suitable anti-drug message
• Discriminatory language can be used in PG's compared to U's however must have an educational or historical context
• Violence can be stronger in PG's must be justified by it's context
• In PG's horror can be more frightening but still cannot be prolonged and fantasy is treated less strictly.

There isn't a huge amount of difference mainly issues can become a little stronger from a U to a PG but they still mainly rely on the context they fall within and still fairly restricted.

PG > 12A

• Discriminatory language or behaviour can progress from a PG to 12A however must not be endorsed by the work as a whole
• Drug mis-use can be shown in a 12A which it cannot in a PG  but still must be infrequent and not glamorised
• Horror can be increased from PG to 12A moderate physical and psychological threat may be premitted but cannot be sustained
• Imitable behaviour can be shown in a 12 A but cannot be dwelled upon but like in a PG glamorisation of accesible weapons is not permitted
• Moderate language is allowed in a 12A compared to mild language in a PG but must be infrequent
• Nudity in a sexual content is allowed in a 12A but again must be brief and discreet
• Sexual activity is progressed in a 12A from a PG as it can be portrayed but can't be frequent
• Themes are the same in PG and 12A as they can have mature themes in both
• Violence is stronger in 12A but cant dwell on detail, sexual reference can also be included but only be implied

12A > 15

• Drugs can actually be shown in a 15 more frequently but still must no promote them
• Horror is stronger and can be more menacing in a 15 then a 12 A
• Imitable behaviour is pretty much the same for 12A and 15 still no glamorisation of weapons allowed
• Language can become more frequent in 15's and stronger langauge may be acceptable in 15's depending on context
• Nudity is increased in a 15 compared to a 12A it can be shown in a sexual context but not in strong detail
• Strong verbal references to sexual behaviour is allowed in 15
• Theme is the same aslong as its suitable for the age groups
• Violence again slightly increases but still cannot dwell on the pain in a 15
  

15 > 18 

15 to 18 shows the biggest jump I think as they stop looking at the criterai under different issues. Once a films work goes above the issues that have been described in a 15 then it would be be considered for a classification of an 18.

• In an 18 work must not breach any laws
• From 15 to 18 you are now an adult therefore it is completely your choice to choose you're entertainment.
• From 15 to 18 it still does not accept any risk of harm to society or any illegal drug use.
• Sexualised violence is allowed in an 18 but again cannot cause harm or potential harm to society
• Sex and Relationships is much more acceptable in an 18 then a 15. If the sex material seeks to inform and educate it may be premitted
• Clear images of real sex is still not alowed in and 18 only sex works containing material which may be simualted are generally passed
  

 18 > R18

• Again similar to 18 and R18 cannot breach any laws
• Sexually abusive behaviour cannot be accepted in and R18 similar to and 18

18 and R18 are more focused on the acts of Sex and Harm therefore they put most of there focus on this in R18 real sex is allowed unlike in an 18 but all other issues are pretty much allowed to a certain extent in both 18 and R18