Participants in the Integrated Track follow a largely open curriculum that allows them the necessary freedom to conduct individual research work on their own dissertation projects. A central part of the qualification concept is the participation of doctoral candidates in one of the interdisciplinary graduate classes led by two mentors from among the commission members. Each project is assigned to one graduate class. Each class focuses on historical, systematic and methodological aspects and includes doctoral students from all years and thus projects at various stages of completion. In addition to the presentation and discussion of their own research projects within the graduate classes, a further presentation of their own project is planned after the first and fifth semesters as part of the faculty-wide a.r.t.e.s. colloquia.

The academic parts of the curriculum are complemented by a diverse programme of support and training offers. As part of a.r.t.e.s. praxis, participants in the Integrated Track have access to a selection of workshops and courses for further training, including the central training and networking offers for doctoral candidates offered by the Albertus Magnus Centre at the University of Cologne.

In addition, all participants in the Integrated Track are invited to participate once during the funding period in the conception, organisation and implementation of the a.r.t.e.s. forum. The annual conference of the a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School, which is organised independently by the doctoral students, thus offers special opportunities for academic networking and experience in project management and event organisation.