  The nineteenth century was an important period for both Oxford mathematics
and algebra in general. While there is extensive documentation of mathematical
research in Oxford at this time, the same cannot be said of the teaching. The
content of the course presents a different picture: it shows what those who set
it felt was most valuable for a young mathematician to learn, perhaps
indicating what direction they expected mathematics to take in the future. To
find out what undergraduates were taught, I have looked through examination
papers of the years between 1828 and 1912 with a focus on algebra, as well as
supporting material. In this paper I will present my findings. I will give a
picture of what an Oxford undergraduate's course in algebra looked like by the
end of the nineteenth century and discuss my own conclusions as to why it took
such a form.
