UNTIL recently, they did most of their learning at the University of Life.

But five of Swindon's teenage mums-to-be have now become the first graduates of an altogether different institution.

The five pregnant teenagers have completed a 12-week course to prepare them for motherhood, including modules on giving birth, looking after their babies correctly, and healthy eating.

But the course also tried to prepare the girls for life outside motherhood, with sections on assertiveness, self-esteem and possible careers and educational opportunities.

The overall aim of the course is to cut the number of teenage pregnancies in Swindon, which are higher here than almost anywhere in Western Europe.

Course organisers hope that that, by opening the girls' eyes to a life that includes learning and work as well as motherhood, the teenagers will think twice about having more children at a young age.

And in the longer term, they hope that, by making the young mums more aware parents with good jobs and qualifications, they will lessen the chances of their children becoming teenage mums in their turn.

By completing the course, the young mums have already gained an NVQ qualification they can use as a gateway for further study.

And at least two of them have decided to go back to school or college and study for their GCSEs as a result of being on the course.

One of the graduates, Anna Eagle, 16, from Whitworth Road, Pinehurst, left school with no qualifications at the age of 15.

But she says her appetite for learning has been whetted by the studying she did on the mums' course.

"They are going to help me with my GCSEs because I never did them," said Anna.

Before I left school, I wanted to be a gym assistant, but now I just want to get my GCSEs and see where I go from there."

Anna and her fellow students did an impressive amount of work for the course, including art and craft projects like stitching an alphabet picture for her baby son to read after he is born.

They also did work on assertiveness, used computers to create birth plans and story and songbooks for their children, and produced their own CVs to prepare them for returning to the jobs market.

Gail McKay, the course organiser and one of the Wiltshire Health Authority workers charged with bringing down Swindon's teenage pregnancy rate, said: "I'm delighted that the girls have done so well.

"It has reinforced my opinion that young people, given the right environment and the right encouragement, can achieve anything."

Another mum-to-be looking forward to a bright future is Amy Strange, 17, from Park South.

Amy, who is expecting a baby girl in eight weeks' time, says the course has not only prepared her for birth and motherhood, but for the years beyond that.

She plans to go to New College and study for her GCSEs as well as bringing up her baby, and hopes to get the grades to become a paramedic.

Asked what she thought she would be doing in 10 years' time, Amy said: "Hopefully, saving lives in my ambulance."

Course organisers will now assess ways of delivering future courses before, they hope, announcing more course dates later this year.

In the meantime, anyone interested in becoming a student on the course should contact Gail McKay on Swindon 437573.