The University of Otago has just announced more than $200m of campus upgrades.

They include a new dental school and the major refurbishment of the existing chemistry building.

Work on the dental school is expected to start in November, just after the science building project begins.

Both projects have been in the planning stages for some time, but haven't been confirmed until now.

The announcement follows another last week, of a $7.8m campus landscaping project.

Faculty leaders say they're investing in the university to counter intense competition within the tertiary sector, both nationally and internationally.