In a method of manufacturing a pressed scandate dispenser cathode, firstly, scandium nitrate, barium nitrate, calcium nitrate, aluminum nitrate and ammonium metatungstate (AMT) are dissolved in de-ionized water, respectively, and then mixed with a solution of a cross-link agent such as citric acid and H.sub.2O.sub.2. After water bathing, the mixed aqueous solution turns into gel, and the powders are obtained after the gel calcination. Secondly, the calcined powders are reduced by hydrogen. Finally, the reduced powders are pressed into shapes and then sintered in the furnace with the atmosphere of hydrogen or by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS 3.202-MK-V) in vacuum.