In this study the nanostructured alpha-Al_2O_3 ceramics have been fabricated by the combined application of magnetic pulsed compaction (MPC) and subsequent spark plasma sintering (SPS), and their density and hardness properties were investigated. The alpha-Al_2O_3 prepared by the combined processes showed an increase by 8.4% in density, approaching the value close to the true density, and an enhancement by 210~400;Hv in hardness, compared to those fabricated by MPC or static compaction method followed by sintering treatment.