Abhineet Singh – Master's student in EIT Double Degree

Meet Abhineet Singh, a master’s student at the University of Turku and an UTU Ambassador for 2026-2027!

"Hi, I am Abhineet from India. I am currently a first year masters student at University of Turku. I am pursuing the EIT double degree masters program in Cyber Security.

After completing my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, I began my career as a cybersecurity engineer. Over the past couple of years, I’ve had the opportunity to work on various projects that include VAPT , red teaming, and threat hunting. I’m passionate about offensive security and advancing resilient systems that protect digital ecosystems against emerging threats, with the long-term goal of stepping into leadership as a security executive. Joining the Master’s programme at UTU felt like the natural next step to turn that vision into reality. The curriculum provides an exceptional foundation in network defense, advanced security protocols, and secure system design. What I appreciate most about UTU is the academic freedom: you aren’t confined to a single track. You can tailor your trajectory, dive into adjacent technical domains, and explore interdisciplinary topics that broaden your strategic perspective. In an increasingly interconnected and rapidly evolving threat landscape, cybersecurity professionals must combine deep technical defense with practical adaptability.

Beyond technical research and cybersecurity, I enjoy board games, horror movies, pop/indie music, and getting involved in student events and community initiatives. I’m always eager to exchange ideas with people from diverse backgrounds, collaborate on exciting projects, and share new experiences."

Abhineet's study experience:

How is your study experience at UTU and what services/aspects have influenced that the most?

CyberSecurity has always been my passion project but being able to have a formal education in this discipline was a dream that came true at UTU. The course structure and the lectures have me intrigued to keep learning more. I love how there is always something to do around the university, whether its a board game night or a movie night or just hanging out with fellow batchmates.

To whom would you recommend your programme to?

If you are interested in learning cyber security not just from a theoretical or abstract perspective, but actually as a subject you would want to research in, this programme is for you.

What is your background and how did you end up choosing your programme?

I hold a bachelor's degree in Computer Science (Hons.) from University of Delhi. Along with that, I have been working in the IT sector for the last 3 years. I have always aspired of doing a masters degree abroad to get the exposure and learn among a diverse class of students. Last year while searching for double degree programs online, I stumbled accross the EIT double degree program in cybersecurity. This aligned with my goal of getting a formal education in the field of cyber security. I had the option to choose from 6 entry universities all across Europe. I ended up choosing University of Turku as my entry university because of the course structure and the student culture in Finland.

What have you found special in the study experience at UTU?

The interdisciplinary nature of the programmes at UTU is something I found genuinely unique right from the start. You aren’t confined to a rigid, one-size-fits-all silo; there’s real freedom to branch out and connect technical depth with adjacent fields. On top of that, the research culture here isn't just about memorising theory or ticking off exam boxes. The professors consistently push us to actually use our brains, challenging our assumptions, encouraging open discussion, and treating us more like junior colleagues than passive students in a lecture hall. You’re expected to think critically, experiment with ideas, and question the "why" behind the solutions you build.

What are your future career plans?

Before getting enrolled in this programme, I thought I had a set goal of completing this degree and then getting a job and working until I retire (boring!). After getting back into an academic environment, I am considering my options of getting a PHD and staying in academia as much as possible. The research culture at UTU has been one of the biggest contributing factors to this change.

How do you balance your studies during your free time?

Honestly, I think its a hit and trial. I try to do one thing at a time, so that I dont stress about others on my plate, but I do end up stressing about everything. During my free time, I usually watch some youtube and play games which helps me destress. I love taking walks in between my 45 mins study sessions, and that helps me regain energy to do study for the next 45 mins.