Construction will begin immediately on a new arts and social sciences faculty building, a science research facility and a new administration building after the NSW government gave approval to the university's plans on Friday.

As well as representing a $187 million investment in education, the buildings will be a striking visual addition to the University's Camperdown Campus, particularly along its north-eastern border with City Road, where a new gateway to the university will be created.

Scaffolding was already being erected near the campus' City Road entry on Thursday, where the eight-storey science research facility and the new five-storey administration building will be built opposite one another, either side of the campus' Eastern Avenue entrance.

The new six-storey arts and social sciences faculty will be built on the other side of the campus, on its northern Parramatta Road boundary. It will include a research centre, lecture theatre, general teaching spaces, office and meeting rooms and a rooftop terrace.

Vice-chancellor Dr Michael Spence said the university had already spent $1.6 billion on campus improvements and the new facilities represented part of a further $700 million investment.

"We are delighted to be in a position to be making such a strong investment in improving our teaching and research facilities.

He said the new buildings would see students whose courses are fragmented across different buildings on the campus brought under one roof for the first time.

According to the Department of Planning, the construction of the new facilities will generate 500 construction jobs.

"The proposed buildings will demonstrate design excellence and will integrate seamlessly into the surroundings and significantly add to this highly accessible education and health precinct," a department spokesperson said.