The a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School emphasizes research, teaching, and networking on an international level. This is apparent not only in the many transcultural and regionally diverse research projects pursued at the school, but, too, in the bilateral research and international doctoral models allowed for at a.r.t.e.s.; two examples of these being  co-tutelage agreements and the supplementary qualification “Doctor Europaeus”, both of which contribute to the internationalization of academic research.

a.r.t.e.s. also contributes to the refinement of its international profile and that of the entire Faculty of Arts and Humanities by regularly hosting Summer Schools and Graduate Seminars. It cooperates closely with its partner institutions and continually expands its international network. a.r.t.e.s.' close connections to KölnAlumniWELTWEIT allows for the maintenance of exchange programmes with universities and research institutes around the world and facilitates contacts between researchers at the UoC and international scholars. International doctoral students can turn to the UoC’s International Office as well as to the Albertus Magnus Center (AMC) for further assistance.

Doctoral students of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities are also able to participate in the programme Erasmus+, run by the Center for International Relations (ZIB). The programme encourages linguistic and cultural exchange between European universities and promotes studying abroad. In addition to the offers of the University of Cologne, numerous other institutions provide funding programmes which support international research.

With its project “a.r.t.e.s. international – for all”, the a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School was able to provide grants for doctoral students of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities as well as for doctoral candidates from abroad between 2014 and 2019. Numerous research stays and conference participations abroad as well as the organisation of international doctoral workshops were supported through this funding programme.